If you’re a fan of pine nuts, you know that they can be quite expensive to buy at the store. But did you know that you can actually harvest your own pine nuts from pine trees?
It’s true! However, it’s not as simple as just plucking them off the branches. There’s a specific time of year when the pine cones are ready to be harvested, and a specific process for getting the nuts out of the cones.
In this article, we’ll explore when to pick pine nuts and how to do it properly. So grab your gloves and let’s get started!
When To Pick Pine Nuts
Pine nuts are typically ready to be harvested in late summer or early fall. This is when the pine cones have matured and are ready to be picked. To determine if the pine cones are ready, look for trees with low branches that have both opened and unopened pine cones on them.
It’s important to note that not all pine trees produce nuts that are suitable for eating. Some species have smaller nuts, while others have larger ones that are easier to shell. In North America, the most commonly used species for pine nut harvesting are the Colorado pinyon, single-leaf pinyon, and Mexican pinyon.
To find suitable trees for harvesting, scout out some pine trees in early summer. Pine cones are usually ready for harvesting from August to September, depending on where you live. Look for trees with lots of green pine cones on them. If some pine cones are open and some are still closed, then it is harvest time! If all pine cones have opened, then critters have probably already eaten all of the seeds.
Understanding Pine Trees And Their Nuts
Pine trees are unique in that they produce seeds that are commonly referred to as pine nuts. However, it’s important to note that pine nuts are not actually nuts at all – they are the seeds of pine trees. Pine nuts can be found in a variety of different pine cones, but the most commonly used species for pine nut harvesting in North America are the Colorado pinyon, single-leaf pinyon, and Mexican pinyon.
It takes anywhere from 15 to 25 years for pine trees to begin producing seeds, and up to triple that time for them to reach top production. The majority of the North American harvest comes from wild, uncultivated trees. For the most part, the seeds are harvested by hand, which is a contributing factor to their expensive price tag.
The pine seeds are found within the pine cones and take about 18 months to mature. Since the pine nuts are ready to harvest 10 days or so before the cone begins to open, they are very difficult to remove. To speed up and ease the process, the cones are placed in a burlap bag and left in the sun to dry for 20 days. Next, the cones are smashed, releasing the seeds, which are then separated from the cone by hand. This is another very time-consuming and patient-testing task. The pine cone is not the only covering for the seed; each pine nut has a second shell that must be removed before eating. Some of these shells are thin and easy to take off whereas others are thicker and more challenging. All of these factors contribute to the understandably high price of pine nuts.
When scouting out suitable trees for harvesting, look for trees with low branches that have both opened and unopened pine cones on them. Not all pine trees produce nuts that are suitable for eating, so it’s important to scout out species with larger nuts to save yourself some trouble with shelling. Once you find the trees, remember where they are and return to them around Labor Day. It’s important to beat the Insane Rodent Posse (IRP) to these tasty nuts, as they are known to scurry away with them once the cones open.
Identifying The Right Time To Harvest Pine Nuts
To identify the right time to harvest pine nuts, it’s important to pay close attention to the pine cones on the trees. The cones should be mature and ready to be picked, but not yet opened. The best time to harvest is when some of the pine cones have opened, while others are still closed. This indicates that the seeds have begun to form but haven’t been eaten by animals yet.
To determine if the pine cones are ready, take a look at the tree. If all of the pine cones are still closed, then the seeds probably haven’t formed yet. If all of the pine cones have opened, then it’s likely that critters have already eaten all of the seeds. Look for trees with low branches that have both opened and unopened pine cones on them.
It’s also important to note that harvesting too early can result in immature nuts that aren’t fully developed. On the other hand, waiting too long can result in the nuts being eaten by animals before you have a chance to harvest them. In general, late summer or early fall is the best time to harvest pine nuts, depending on where you live.
Once you’ve identified suitable trees for harvesting, it’s important to remember where they are located. Return to them around Labor Day to beat animals like chipmunks and ground squirrels to these tasty nuts. When harvesting, wear a pair of cheap gardening gloves to protect your hands from pitch, a sweet-smelling sticky resin that coats the cones.
After harvesting, let the cones sit in a warm, dry area for a few days so that the nuts can be easily shaken out. Then, pick out all of the nuts from within and dump them in a bucket of water. About 85 percent of those that float are no good, while the sinkers are keepers. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to identify the right time to harvest pine nuts and enjoy their delicious flavor.
Preparing To Harvest Pine Nuts
Before you head out to harvest pine nuts, there are a few things you should do to prepare. First, buy a cheap pair of gardening gloves. Pine cones are coated in pitch, a sticky resin that can get on everything. While it has a lovely smell, it can be difficult to remove from your hands and clothing. Wearing gloves will protect your hands and make the harvesting process more comfortable.
Once you have your gloves, start scoping out pine trees in early August. Look for trees that have lots of green pine cones on them. Not every tree will set cones, so it’s important to find ones that have plenty. Sometimes small variations in elevation or whether the trees are on a north or south face of a slope can matter a lot.
When you find suitable trees, remember where they are and return to them around Labor Day. It’s important to beat the Insane Rodent Posse (IRP) to these tasty nuts. In many areas, chipmunks or ground squirrels will quickly collect the nuts as soon as the cones open. If you wait until October to gather your nuts, you risk losing them all to these critters.
To gather the pine cones, pick each one into a paper grocery bag. Pine cones can be heavy and prickly, so be careful when handling them. When you get home, lay the green cones out in cheap foil roasting trays or some other shallow, wide container you can stack no more than two cones deep. If you stack them too deep, they can get moldy.
Enjoy the wonderful aroma of the pine cones and wait for them to open on their own. This usually takes about three weeks. When the cones do open, pick out all the nuts from within. You’ll get a little pitch on your hands, but it comes off with oil.
Not all nuts will be good nuts, unfortunately. It’s a fact of pine nut processing that can be depressing. All that waiting and work, and sometimes your yield is a crappy 50 percent or worse. To determine if your nuts are good or not, dump all the nuts in a bucket of water. About 85 percent of those that float are no good. The sinkers are the keepers.
Harvesting Pine Nuts From Pine Cones
Once you have located a suitable tree, it’s time to harvest the pine nuts. Pine cones are ready to be harvested about 10 days before the green cone begins to open. To speed up the process of drying and opening, the cones are dried in a burlap bag in the sun for 20 days. Once the cones are dry, they are smashed to quickly release the seeds.
To separate the pine nuts from the cone fragments, you will need to do it by hand. This is a time-consuming and patient-testing task, as each pine nut has a second shell that must be removed before eating. Some of these shells are thin and easy to take off, while others are thicker and more challenging.
It’s important to note that harvesting pine nuts is not an easy task. The majority of the North American harvest comes from wild, uncultivated trees, and for the most part, the seeds are harvested by hand. This is a contributing factor to their expensive price tag.
Once you have harvested your pine nuts, not all nuts will be good nuts. Dump all the nuts in a bucket of water. About 85 percent of those that float are no good. The sinkers are the keepers.
Cleaning And Storing Pine Nuts
Once you have harvested your pine nuts, it’s important to properly clean and store them to ensure their freshness and longevity. Pine nuts have a relatively short shelf life, and care should be taken in storing them.
First, remove the pine nuts from the cones by separating them manually or using a nutcracker. Once you have removed all the nuts, spread them out on a flat surface and remove any debris, such as pine needles or pieces of cone.
After cleaning the pine nuts, store them in a tightly sealed bag or airtight container. If you plan on using them within a month, storing them in the fridge is an option. For longer storage, it’s best to freeze them. When stored in the freezer, they should stay fresh for about three months.
It’s important to note that pine nuts can absorb flavors from other foods, so it’s best to store them separately from other strong-smelling foods. Additionally, pine nuts can become rancid if exposed to heat or light for too long. Therefore, it’s best to keep them in a cool, dark place until ready for use.
By properly cleaning and storing your pine nuts, you can enjoy their delicious taste and health benefits for months to come.
Tips For Successful Pine Nut Harvesting
Here are some tips to help you successfully harvest pine nuts:
1. Wear gloves: Pine cones are coated in pitch, a sticky resin that can get on everything. To avoid getting pitch all over your hands, wear a cheap pair of gardening gloves.
2. Use a paper grocery bag: When harvesting pine cones, pick each cone into a paper grocery bag. This will make it easier to transport them home.
3. Dry the cones: Once you have harvested the pine cones, dry them in the sun for about 20 days. This will speed up the process of drying and opening the cones.
4. Smash the cones: After the cones have dried, smash them to quickly release the seeds. Be sure to separate the seeds by hand from the cone fragments.
5. Check for good nuts: Not all nuts will be good nuts, so it’s important to check them before consuming. Dump all the nuts in a bucket of water and discard any that float. The sinkers are the keepers.
6. Beat the Insane Rodent Posse (IRP): Pine nuts are a favorite food of rodents like chipmunks and ground squirrels. To avoid losing your harvest to these critters, make sure to gather your nuts in early September.
7. Plant your own trees: If you want to ensure a steady supply of pine nuts, consider planting your own trees. When planting your seedlings, make sure to dig the hole straight down and plant at least two of the same variety for optimal fertilization.
By following these tips, you can successfully harvest pine nuts and enjoy their delicious flavor in a variety of dishes.
